STATE THEATRE

The State Theatre is the third biggest/most popular venue in Portland,Maine, right behind the Bangor Savings Amphitheater and Thompson’s Point. It’s a grand venue with several bar areas, great acts and a dialed in sound system. There’s a big pit with tons of space, seats behind that and a balcony above with seating. Most shows are general admission, which means anyone can be as close as they want to the performers or chillin’ in some comfy seats with their friends. I love that. Some artists prefer a more subdued crowd and the staff will put out chairs for ticketed seating up front. Jeff Tweedy gets what Jeff Tweedy wants. There really is no specific genre at the State Theatre. It spans from 30-piece Beatles cover matinees to Father John Misty to Kurt Vile and the Violators. Joe Jackson to Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. Little Feat, Taj Mahal and everything in between. You must always keep your eye on the offerings at The State.

Just the other day, I saw one of the best Funk bands ever, the Grammy nominated band, Lettuce. The saxophone player and the keyboardist both have Portland roots, so the crowd was electric and the sound was dialed in. Their blend of funk, hip-hop, rock, psychedelia, jazz, soul, jam, go-go, and the avant-garde was like a giant wave coming off the stage and absolutely wiping out the entire crowd. Funk to the bone!